"Seldom has an act of mercy been more publicly or horribly betrayed," Gerson writes. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

(Newser)
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Mike Huckabee's mercy in granting clemency to cop killer Maurice Clemmons was horribly betrayed, but that's no reason to reject the very notion of clemency, writes Michael Gerson. Strong arguments in favor of the role clemency plays in the justice system were made at the time of the Founding Fathers, when Alexander Hamilton argued that "justice would wear a countenance too sanguinary and cruel" without it, Gerson writes in the Washington Post.

Clemmons was sentenced to 108 years in jail at the age of 16 for robberies and burglaries, "a disproportionate punishment by any measure" that Huckabee reduced to 47 years, Gerson notes. It was the parole board that freed Clemmons after 11 years, and mistakes by other authorities that left him free. "Huckabee's choice allowed a tragedy," Gerson writes. "But that does not make it unreasonable."

Exactly Mad... I don't blame him for granting clemency because clemency is an important part of the system. However, finding God is mumbo jumbo bullshit and religious faith should play no role whatsoever in the clemency process. If religion is a determining factor, anyone can just memorize what religion dufuses are supposed to say and get off easy. Proclaiming that you believe in an invisible space wizard with the power to do just about anything except he never actually does anything, that is grounds for the looney ward and not clemency.

Mad

Dec 9, 2009 7:40 AM CST

Huckkabee's benevolent gesture of offering clemency is marred by his decision to grant it due to Clemmons' claim he had found god. Sucker.

ronimaca

Dec 9, 2009 4:27 AM CST

NO WE SHOULDN'T BURY CLEMENCY, JUST BURY HIS POLITICAL CAREER. BYE BYE